Survival Knife
Filed under
Survival Gear, Survival Knives
From the crudest cutting utensils of ancient times, to the precision blades of today, the knife is often referred to as the #1 tool for survival. Pocket knives, military blades, crazy contraptions that look like they are meant for killing Zombies, knives are everywhere. Ask a survivalist what one item they couldn’t live without, and more often than not they will tell you their knife.
Personally I am a blade junkie, I have a wide variety of cutting tools in my collection.
So what do I carry?
My #1 choice of survival knives is the Sog Seal Pup Elite, if I were stuck in the wilderness and could only bring one knife, I would definitely choose the SOG.
With all of that said, I tend to use cheaper blades for day to day cutting. Yes I carry my SOG for emergencies (and I do use it for certain tasks)….. but I worry less about damaging the blade when I use a $10 – $15 one for daily work.
Believe it or not there are a lot of very good knives out there for under $15.
Swiss Army Knife – I tend to use my Swiss army knife for just about everything. From cutting rope, opening boxes, and daily chores to being my #1 choice when fishing, this little thing can take a beating.
A Swiss Army knife generally has a variety of blades, various tools and other useful gadgets. At one time there were two companies that are allowed to feature the Swiss Army Cross Logo; Victorinox or Wenger.
Recently Victorinox bought out Wenger making them the only manufacture to feature the Swiss Army Cross Logo
Multitool – Although I don’t think of this as a typical knife, I do carry a Multitool which has a couple of different blades in it.
Popular Brands include:
Gerber
SOG
Leatherman
Husky Utility Blade – This little blade comes in very handy.
I carry a couple of these in my truck and a few in my tool bucket. I break it out when I’m out on a job site to cut just about anything.
You can find them at just about any hardware store for under $10 including multiple blades.
What to stay away from?
Survival Knives – When a company markets their blade as a “survival knife” they are probably not worth the weight in your bag.
Stay away from the ones that have a hollow handle filled with so called survival gear. The handles on these knives suck and are guaranteed to break when you need them the most.
Fancy Blades – If it looks like it belongs in a movie, chances are it’s of little use in an emergency situation.
It may look cool as part of your collection, just don’t count on it to get you out of any sticky situations.
No matter what you carry, make sure you take care of your knife. A sharp knife is far safer than a dull one. When my blade is dull I sharpen it, if it beyond repair I get rid of it.
Looking for a Good SOG? This is what I carry…..
The CheaperThanDirt rough use knife is actually quite durable ~ $20.
My EDC knife is a classic Leatherman Multitool. Excellent investment – no frills, just built-to-last.
My primary bush knife is an ESEE RC-5. Built like a tank, guaranteed forever, no questions asked. I’ve now become a HUGE fan of ESEE knives.
Had a Ka-Bar – never held a good edge for me and the powdercoat chipped off readily.
Had a Gerber LMFII ASEK – the rubber overmolding on the handle started to peel after a few days.
Still have a Mora I paid $15 for – excellent knife, holds its edge very well… it even floats. Made of high carbon steel, so it WILL rust if left unattended.
When shopping for a knife, do consider:
1) The length and weight you need and find comfortable (some choppers may be too heavy, some bushcraft knifes may not be heavy enough)
2) The type of use you intend (a knife is not an axe, but you may need to baton through wood to split it, for instance)
3) The composition of metal (high carbon, stainless steel) and rockwell hardness rating.
4) Knife style – many sway by full tang-or-nothing designs, some prefer skeletonized designs to conserve weight, some hate serrations, some love clip points, etc.
5) Budget
Cheap isn’t always trash, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. Do your homework before you buy. If you grab the first thing you see for $20 at the local flea market you may regret it when you’re miles into the woods and that knife has a LOT riding on it.
“Cheap isn’t always trash” is absolutely true. I love my Mora!
i agree with the mora, by far mora’s are best.. light weight, tough are shit and cost around 20 dollars.
Not all hollow handled knives are crappy. Check out Chris Reeve knives, and there are others, I just cant think of their names. I think Randall knives markets a hollow handled knife, and it certainly wouldn’t be junk. Personally my idea for a survival type knife would be one that you could use for most “survival” related tasks, i.e.: cutting, prying, chopping, and at the bare extreme, fighting. But I think multi-tools are awesome “urban survival” knives. I would also want a good solid fixed blade to go along with it. Today, CRKT, TOPS Knives, and others offer good solid fixed blade knives for a good value. Another opinion of mine is that a sheath that holds all the necessary survival implements is more valuable than a knife that does.
The Best knife is like the Best firearm, it is the one you have with you when you have need of it. Choose a high quality folder for inside the pocket carry. If you always have it, it will always be there for You!
Keep sharp, in mind and blade.
Guess prefer Mora knifes from Sweden. Variations in price and seemingly very decent cheap ones.
(Weird two posts in a row but)
Cheap being – Mora 511 for 5 usd (carbon or stainless)
I agree that Moras just can’t be beat for all around use and price, but for tactical/self-defense use… would not be my first choice. Muli-tool with a can opener is a must. Can anyone recommend a good quality, decently priced fixed blade tactical/self-defense knife. I just sold a few and I’m in the market for one.
I carry a Cold Steel Mini Tac Kiridashi for EDC self defense. Small and light but size eficient, I got it for biomechanical cutting, but it’ll go thru a carotid, puncture a lung and liver, etc. as well as any 3 incher. I like the Safekeeper II as well, but push daggers, you know, about the same class as brass knuckles, you’d catch a case for wearing it, pretty much anywhere.
as for a real fighting knife, IDK, but i like Cold Steel stuff, maybe the OSS or Peace Maker? Not to mention bowies, that is what we use in this country. The SK-5 models have great reviews too. I’d really like a Gurka Kukri for a general purpose field blade. Super versatile, takes the role af a few different knives and tools.
Bushman and Canadian Belt Knife can definately find use in survival gear too.
My Gerber Big Rock is a excellent choice for those who have limited budgets. The handles will come off if they wear out, so that no big issue to me. Some of you carry machete looking knives….i want to keep it simple.
Gerber LMFII Infantry – Awesome bt of kit that i’ve used to make shelters etc with, takes a real hammering and retains a good edge.
Great post and great comment from Dustin.
Re: Denny Symes’ comment about hollow-handled knives, no, not all hollow-handled knives are junk, but the cheap ones certainly are. And the post did specify hollow handles filled with stuff, which I doubt the Chris Reeves knife is. And I believe the CRK is made from one piece of steel, not a blade attached to a hollow handle via flimsy joint like most of those saw-backed, hollow-handled, piñata knives filled with fishing line and compasses are. Unfortunately, any decent hollow-handled knife is going to be out of the price range of the very demographic they most appeal to: teenage boys and younger men. So for them, their intro to “survival” knives (sometimes knives in general) is pure junk.
I SEARCHED FOR A LONG TIME(OVER 6 MONTHS)FOR THE RIGHT BUSH SHEATH KNIFE. I PICKED THE KERSHAW D2 OUTCAST. THIS KNIFE WEIGHS IN AT 22 OZ,COMES WITH A KYDEX SHEATH,10″ BOLO STYLE BLADE,16″ OVERALL. SOME WILL SAY IT’S A BIT HEAVY,BUT IT WILL DO EVERYTHING AN AXE WILL AND MORE. I HAVE USED IT TO FELL 8″ HARD WOOD TREES,DIG PRIVY HOLES,SPLIT FIRE WOOD. IT HAS YET TO LET ME DOWN. THE EDGE RETENTION IT GREAT. FOR $70.OO DOLLARS IT CAN’T BE BEAT. i ALWAYS CARRY MY LEATHER MULTI TOOL AS A “FIRST” KNIFE. GIVE THE OUTCAST A LOOK. THANKS!
Gerber rock is good, nice sturdy full tang knife but the rubber handles are cheap, But I laced mine up with a Paracord handle. Nice feel now. The blade holds an excellent edge. Well that is all I have for today…
I have used many knives over the last 35yrs.ranging from Sears Roebuck, Gerber and Al Mar, for hunting,combat carry and survival. The one that I have consistantly returned to using is a Camillius K-Bar. Mine has always held a pretty good edge and I have not had any problems with the finish degrading. As with any knife, you should keep it clean and the edge touched up. If I had to hit the wilderness tomorrow, I would take my Leatherman and my K-Bar.
Try checking out a local gun or knife show. Sometimes I have found used knives that are excellent and for almost 50
% of the price of new. I prefer a folding CRKT in a 5 inch blade and also a fixed 7 to 9 inch blade like a K Bar.
Definitly also a good multitool for cutting things like wire or heavy paracord.
I’d highly suggest 2 knives , ..I always carry a leatherman “Sideclip” and I have Randall made 14 with a stainless steel blade in my “Bug-out-bag”
Sometimes a pocket knife is too little and a sheath knife is too much.
Btw , Buy a quality knife sharpener and learn to use it to keep all your knives sharp.
Finding a good, solid knife that will be with you for a long time is very similar to finding the right partner. A few people get lucky right from the start, most bumble through a bunch to finally find “the one”, and for those folks who haven’t, they just have to keep looking and trying.
I think I would trust the Mora for most of a day’s activities, but, I absoultely LOVE ESEE KNIVES! They have an awesome selection designed for those from the amateur to the pro. They are well built and have a NO QUESTIONS ASKED LIFETIME WARRANTY!
Check out the knives at http://www.hedgehogleatherworks.com My favorite survival knife is the Tom Brown Tracker, I used it for a 10day course [4day Complete Survivor and 6day Bushcraft at Ancient Pathways]
Fallkniven A1 is what I settled on for the BOB. I was sold on the strength, durability tests conducted and although pricey I would trust it to hold up to a shtf task. It also would lash nicely & serve as a spear tip.
A knife is a personal thing. My neighbor asked me what knife to buy her husband, and ended up talking with him about it instead of just buying one for him. The debates go on, fixed vs. folder, partially serrated vs. plain, handle material, steel, blade configuration. They make a lot of different knives because everyone is different. Personally, EDC – Kershaw Ken Onion Shallot with ZDP-189. Hunting – Buck 119. Fishing/Deboning – Victorinox 47513. Kid’s first knife – Gerber 44576 lock back. Multi-tool – Leatherman (I’ve got two different models.) Truck knife – one I made from a metal file in high school. Celebrate diversity! (I’m about to google Mora…)
What multi-tool is pictured with the article above? I’ve never found a muli-tool I like enough to carry every day. I prefer simple single blade folders, preferably with a partially serrated blade. But when it comes to packing up my Bug Out Bag, I understand that a multi-tool is a must have. Any recommendations?
I forget the exact model but I think it’s similar to this Gerber
Don’t know if anyone has seen that gerber teamed up with Bear Grils from man vs. Wild. I received the fixed blade as a fathers day gift. Its a really nice blade and it has a bunch of survival perks.
… bear griles fixed blade has a sharpener on the back of the sheath, a flint stick for fires, full tang that at the bottom is shaped for use as a hammer, a whistle, and a pocket survival guide(more like a survival cheat sheet). The only thing that isn’t designed into the knife/sheath is the pocket guide. A lot of non-gimmiky additions for $60. I love the way my hand holds it too. I’d recomend for novice or veteren.
I have a gerber bear grylls and a kabar becker bk2 for my bug out bag. and I prefer the BK2. guaranteed to last forever basically. sure the powder coating will come off, but who cares about looks when you’re surviving.
I got the gerber Bear Grylls Survival Series Ultimate Knife… I love it… This knife has a good feel to it….
It features an ergonomic grip for comfortable handling and a dependable stainless steel blade with a versatile serrated edge. Additionally, the knife and military-grade nylon sheath are packed with innovative survival tools, including a fire starter, a diamond blade sharpener, an emergency whistle, and a pommel….
One brand I am not hearing much about is Cold Steel. I think their Master Hunter is one of the best GP Knives on the market. I have been looking at their Tomahawks as well.
I carried a Gunsite folder for a year in Iraq and it never failed me. I would put it up against any folder on the market today! Especially in the San Mai steel! Even today it never leaves my pocket!!!
Still working on my BoB, but when I get it together it will have my Recon Scout in it. I actually purchased it over a Randall #14. And No, I’m not a Cold steel rep or anything, I have just been impressed with their products. But when it comes to multi-tools, I invested in a Gerber Multi-Plier 800 Legond. Not cheap, but it is SOLID!!
coldsteel,sharade tough tool,eastwingaxe
Just came across this site very good content and interesting information. Just one note I came across on knife comments that is bogus was the review of the lmfll, rubber overmolding peeled after a few days. (UH NO FREAKIN WAY DUDE) What did you do light it on fire? Im a lmf user and mines been abused, Ive even taken my old one through the torture tests you can pull up on youtube. It will saw through sheet metal, and go beat the handle to death it never breaks down. Also its a full tang so even after the handles gone youd still be fine.
Also I bought a Bear Grylls survival knife. I gave this one to my wife for her bug out bag. This is truly a solid knife for the price tag, great blade, sharpner incorperated, whistle, and fire starter. For the 50.00 i put in it I think its a killer value. The one downside I have heard is the hammer head on the back of the knife if used with decent force there have been reports of the handle chipping off or breaking the butt plate..
Just fyi, i think there is a youtube video on the subject. But on that note I dont know truly what was done to the knife off camera. If your worried take a look at the lmfll or there is also a smaller version with a great sheath with multiple mounting options called the Gerber Prodigy tanto. Pretty cool blade..
One word come to mind for the ultimate knife… BUSSE. These knives are amazing! Busse knives are not inexpensive but how many knives do you know that can bust through wood, brick and steel pipe and not break? They hold a fantastic edge and the balance and ergonomics are second to none. Once you try one, you will be hooked.
I have a Victorinox (swiss army) multitool and Cold Steel TiLite for EDC. The multitool has been with me for almost 10 years now. I agree with the “survival” knife comments. Bought a few as a kid for camping trips. The invariably broke and whatever “supplies” they came with were useless. The TiLite has been the best folder I’ve had, and will open when I draw from my pocket.
I am quite the fan of ColdSteel as well. I personally carry a Rajah III as my EDC and their SRK as my fixed blade. I also carry a kukri and spetsnaz shovel all the time as well. You can never have too many blades or tools while roaming the Swamp.
Two knives…a Mora for camp duty..carving trip wire and snare triggers etc. And…a fighter for those special needs. I have a 3 pound 11″ Bowie style stainless steel blade that can be a machete….a wood splitter…a fighter..a digger..and on and on.
But the Mora Classic 2 is my go to neck knife.
I agree seal pup or any full tang blade no hollow handels, No USMC K-Bar’s the blades will break unless you get the hardened steel blades they are more expensive but worth the money. BUCK Knives and Gerber are hard to sharpen and don’t seem to hold a edge very long for field dressing, for this I choose the CASE knives thats what they are made for!